Japan wants to mediate resolving Rohingya crisis

Diplomatic Correspondent: Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has said Japan has proposed to play an active role as a mediator in Tokyo between Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a peaceful solution over Rohingya crisis.

The foreign minister told newsmen after a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Tara Kono at the State Guesthouse, Meghna on Tuesday evening.

He said Japanese foreign minister will be on Bangladesh’s side in resolving Rohingya crisis, trying convince Myanmar to act faster for creating conducive environment in Rakhine to start the repatriation process.

“He (Kono) will go to Naypydaw from here to convey our message to Myanmar,” Momen said.

He said Bangladesh warned Tokyo that Japanese investment both in Bangladesh and Myanmar may be affected if the Rohingya crisis is prolonged here as he feared that it could spread extremism in the region.

Besides the Rohingya issue, other matters related to further strengthening of Bangladesh-Japan ties were also discussed during the meeting.

The Japanese foreign minister will leave here for Myanmar today (Wednesday).

risingbd/July 31, 2019/Hasan/Mukul